Experience and skills are cited by both candidates for Lenawee County Register of Deeds as they approach a Nov. 6 decision by voters on who will lead the office for the next four years.

“I think experience is very important,” said Republican candidate Carolyn Bater. She has worked in the register office since starting as a clerk in 1989. She was promoted to deputy register in 1997 and appointed register in April this year after Vicki Daniels retired from the office.

Knowing the responsibilities and procedures of the office and how it interacts with other county departments, title companies and other businesses makes her better qualified, said Bater.

“It’s not something you can go out and get schooling in. Every day I add something to my memory bank,” Bater said.

Democratic candidate Sharon Wimple said she believes her experiences and skills qualify her to manage the register office.

“I feel very confident I would pick things up,” Wimple said. “Once you have the skill set, so many things are transferable.” Having someone from outside the office can be an advantage, she said.

“Sometimes doing something the same way, we could lose sight of what can be done,” she said.

Wimple said she is familiar with register of deeds operations from the 10 years she worked as a paralegal in the Henry Newlin law office in Tecumseh. She also earned a business degree from Siena Heights University and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University New Orleans, she said.

She is currently marketing coordinator for Brecon Village in Saline, which offers residential and health care services to seniors. She also worked as director of pastoral care at the Dominican House in Adrian and is currently a part-time associate for Anderson Funeral Home.

Wimple said she decided to run for register of deeds after reading that Daniels was retiring. She has wanted to be involved in government, she said, and the position offered an opportunity to serve that involves her skills and experience in detailed record keeping.

“I enjoy being with people and the public,” she said. “I’m committed and I will work hard.”

Bater said she has proven her ability to lead the office and meet the challenge of county budget tightening and continuing technology upgrades.

Including her, there are four full-time staff members in the office that once had one part-time and six full-time workers.

Technology has replaced typewriters and hand stamps that were used when she started her career, Bater said. Paper records and index books are being supplemented with computer systems. She and the county treasurer are now looking into an electronic recording system to streamline tax forfeitures and redemptions for properties that go into the foreclosure process over delinquent taxes.

Page 2 of 2 - Bater said her office has reached 99 percent of its revenue goal for this budget year while operating at less than budgeted costs.

“We are still maintaining the efficiency in the office and the customer service,” Bater said, despite budget cuts.

“The office staff has done very well,” she said. Documents are being recorded and returned to customers, often in two to three days. The process was temporarily slowed one day this year when 193 oil and gas leases were turned in at once, she said, but only by a day or two.

“It’s all of us pitching in to help,” she said.

Wimple is a Chicago native who moved to Tecumseh after marrying Ron Wimple, who is from Tecumseh. In addition to her work experience, Wimple said she has been involved in local civic and school activities that include volunteering for United Way, Communities in Schools, Junior Achievement and serving as a literacy tutor. She had been a member of Rotary.

Bater, a resident and native of Tecumseh, is a member of the Michigan Association of Registers of Deeds, United County Officers Association and past president and current member of the Adrian Evening Lions Club.